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THE GORGEOUS CECILE 



A SKETCH IN THREE ACTS 



BEULAH KING 




f^W 



Fitzgerald Publishing Corporation 

SUCCESSOR TO 
DICK & FITZGERALD 



LENA RIVERS 

By MARIE DOR.4N 

This popular and successful comedy drama Is now issued 
in a copyrighted edition. It contains all the plots and 
complete stage directions, is arranged for 5 male and 4 
female characters, runs 2^ hours and has 2 simple in- 
terior scenes. 

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Price 35 cents per copy 



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New Copyrighted Version. This well-known Irish favor- 
ite entirely revised and rewritten by Marie Doran, and 
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for Professional Performances. 8 male and 3 female 
characters. Runs 2 hours ; i interior and i exterior 
scene. 

Price 25 cents per copy 



Fitzgerald Publishing Corporation 

Successor to 
DICK & FITZGERALD 

18 Vesey Street, New York 



I 



The Gorgeous Cecile 

A Sketch in Three Acts 



By 

BEULAH KING 

Author of '' Poor Dear Uncle James,'' "His Sisters,'' etc. 



Copyright, 1920, by- 
Fitzgerald Publishing Corporation 



ff? 



Fttzgerald Publishing Corporation 

Successor to 

Dick & Fitzgerald 

18 Vesey Street IJJew York 



J5\3' G(o 



OCT -9 1920 

©C;.C 55 735 



The Gorgeous Cecile 



CHARACTERS 



Alonzo Meredith A widower 

Max Meredith His son 

Prothero Jones Max's frierid 

Miss Emily Courtney Alonzo's sister-in-law 

Mrs. Louise Higglesworth Alonzo' s sister-in-law 

Claire Thomas Miss Courtneij's friend 

Cecils a maid 

Pauline a maid 

Wade a butler 

Time. — The present. 

Locality. — Any suburban town. 

Time of Playing. — Two hours. 



COSTUMES AND CHARACTERISTICS 

Alonzo Meredith. A small man of about fifty-five 
years. His manner is continually preoccupied. Wears 
a business suit, and carries a soft covered volume in his 
pocket. 

Max Meredith. A handsome young man of about 
thirty. Wears a business suit. 

Prothero Jones. Max's friend, a good looking young 
man of about thirty-four. 

Mrs. Higglesworth. A beautiful widow of a])out 
thirty-eight, dressed in excellent taste. 

Miss Courtney. About forty-five. The exact op- 
posite of Mrs. Higglesworth. 



4 The Gorgeous Cecile 

Claire Thomas. A red-haired girl of about thirty, 
dressed neatly and quietly. 

Cecile. An unusually beautiful girl of about twenty- 
two, dressed in black with white frills of an up-to-date 
maid. 

Pauline. A plain looking girl dressed as a maid. 

AVade. Wears butler's uniform. 



INCIDENTAL PROPERTIES 

Soft covered book for Mr. Meredith, also a telegram 
blank in secretary for Mr. Meredith. Cigarette and 
matches for Jones. Tea Avagon containing tea things 
for Wade. 



STAGE DIRECTIONS 

As seen by a performer on the stage facing the audi- 
ence, R. means right hand; l., left hand; c. d., door at 
center; d. r., door at right, up towards back of stage; 
down, towards footlights. 



The Gorgeous Cecile 



ACT I 

SCENE.— Mr. Meredith's study. In the rear wall cen- 
ter a single door leading into the library, and L. of 
which are bookcases, partly filled with books. The 
shelves are new, having been put up that very morn- 
ing, and extend the width of the walls on either side. 
R,, single door leading into the hall. In the left wall 
three windows overlooking the gardens, down R. 
corner a secretary, down l. a reading table with 
chaise-longue beside it. A small step-ladder is before 
the book shelves in the upper r. corner, surrounded^ 
by piles of books. Chairs and several pictures of 
famous playwrights, actors and actresses, complete 
the furnishings. A bell cord in the lower left 
hand wall beside the chaise-longue. DISCOV- 
ERED, Cecile standing half umy up the step-ladder, 
back to audience, arranging books on shelves. 

ENTER, Wade c. d., balancing a pile of books in his 
arms, goes to Cecile. 

Cecile {turning). Oh, Mr. Wade, don't bring any 
more. There are too many now. Where am I going to 
pnt them all? {During the following, she continues her 
work) 

Wade. His orders, Miss. 

Cecile. Don't call me Miss. 

Wade. I beg your pardon, M 

Cecile. There, you almost said it again. You get 
one idea in your head and you can't get it out. 

Wade {humbly). But what's wrong about it? 

5 



6 The Gorgeous Cecile 

Cecile. Oh everything! Can't you see, Wade, that 
it isn't good form. It's bourgeois and you mustn't be 
bourgeois. It's disgusting. 

Wade. I'm sorry. {He doesn't in the least follow 
her) 

Cecile. I know. You always are, but it doesn 't do a 
bit of good for you to be sorry. 

Wade. You hate me ? 

Cecile. No, Wade, I don 't hate you. Nothing could 
make me hate you as long as you possess that divine 
figure. 

Wade. And you're going to marry me when your 
year's up? 

Cecile. I didn't say that. There 's a lot of annoying 
little ways you've got to get over first. 

Wade. I'll try and with you to make something of 
me 



Cecile. I think I prefer a ready-made husband. 

Wade. But if I've possibilities 

Cecile. Oh yes, you've possibilities all right, but your 
brain's concrete. You are just grand in the servants' 
quarters. I adore to see you boss the cook and the whole 
lot of them. 

Wade. That's it. You adore me one minute and 
laugh at me the next. I don't see as how you can love 
me very much. 

Cecile. Love you! I wouldn't love anyone unless 
I first admired him. My husband must be not only hand- 
some and good, but good for sornething. 

Wade {piqued). And where do you get your fine 
ideas? 

Cecile. From my great-grandmother who lived with 
the Adamses! There! 

ENTER Pauline d. r. 

Pauline {going up to Cecile). IVe come to help you, 
Cecile. {Glances at Wade timidly) 

Cecile. All right, Pauline. Pile up those soft green 
covered books over there and put them on the third shelf. 



The Gorgeous Cecile 7 

{To Wade) Pass me that red book. ("Wade stoops and 
gets it wJiile Pauline watches Mm intently) Thank 
you. {Taking an armful from tlie top shelf) Now take 
these to the library and leave them on the table. (Wade 
takes them and EXIT c. d.) 

Pauline {in an awestruck whisper). How do you 
dare order him about so? 

Cecile. He likes it. 

Pauline. Ain't he jest grand? 

Cecile. Some figure, I'll say. 

Pauline. Do you know I think he's handsomer even 
than Mr. Max. 

Cecile {smiling). I shouldn't wonder. 

Pauline. You wait until you see Mr. Max. Oh lor ', 
he's swell! 

Cecile {facing ah out with sudden interest). Mr. 
Max! Mr. Max! Mr. Max! that's all I've heard since I 
came here. Tell me about him. {Sits on top step of 
ladder) 

Pauline {also quitting work). Well, he's thirty — 
handsome, and don 't like the ladies. 

Cecile. That's interesting. Go on. 

Pauline. His father's trying to get him married off. 

Cecile. Naturally. 

Pauline. And his Aunt Emily — that 's the ugly one — 
invites all sorts o' girls here for bait to please his father, 
but Mr. Max don't bite, no sir, he don't bite. Every 
week last summer a new girl was invited here, but noth- 
ing doing and one of 'em was a countess. 

Cecile {her chin in her hands) . What a strange man ! 

Pauline. Ain't he though! And Mr. Meredith's 
that crazy for him to marry. All these elegant houses 
and no mistress for 'em. 

Cecile. Um-um. 

Pauline. For six years now he's been trying his best 
to make a match. 

Cecile. When does this Mr. Max come home ? 

Pauline. Oh lor ', ain 't you heard ? He 's due to-day, 
late this very afternoon. 



8 The Gorgeous Cecile 

Cecile. Keally? And who's the girl for this week- 
end? 

Pauline. Miss Thomas, a Miss Claire Thomas, a 
young girl Miss Courtney met in Europe last summer. 
They say Miss Courtney claims this is the one for him. 
I ain't even seen her, but I have my doubts. 

Cecile. I should think you might, after seeing the 
failures of six years. 

Pauline. As for my part I can 't see why the father 
himself don't marry. He's only fifty-five, they tell me, 
and it's common talk about the house Miss Courtney 
wouldn't sniff at an opportunity of marrying him even if 
he is her dead sister's husband. They say she's fright- 
fully afraid Mrs. Higglesworth will get him. {With a 
chuckle) Fumi}^, ain't it? I suppose she's jealous of 
Mrs. Higglesworth. She's so swell. 

Cecile. Mr. Meredith's a prune! 

Pauline. You don 't like him ! 

Cecile. His ears are ugly. 

Pauline. Don't — don't you like a man unless he's 
handsome ? 

Cecile. No ! 

Pauline. Oh lor ', so the cook told me, but I wouldn 't 
believe her. 

Cecile {rising and turning hack to the shelves). Come, 
let's finish this shelf anyhow. Plays, plays, plays. 
{Gets down from the ladder) 

Pauline. Mr. Meredith's nuts on plays. They call 
it his hobby below stairs. He wrote a play once. 

Cecile {not the least interested). Really! {Takes 
some hooks and EXIT c. d.) 

Pauline {following) . And it was given by the Euclid 
Club, a swell [EXIT C. d. 

ENTER Mrs. Higglesworth and Miss Courtney d. r. 

Mrs. H. My dear Emily, it's so absurd. {Goes to 
chaise-longue and drapes herself upon it with care) 

Miss C. Absurd? I don't understand you, Louise. 
(Miss Courtney takes her stand hack of tahle) 



The Gorgeous Cecile 9 

Mrs. H. To think Max would fall in love with her. 

Miss C. (with asperity. She has plenty). That's be- 
cause you didn't invite her down. I don't know why 
he shouldn't fall in love with her, clever, good-tem- 
pered 

Mrs. H. But don't you see, Emily, those things count 
so little with men. ^ 

Miss C. I suppose you are about to tell me I don t 
know anything about men and their tastes. 

Mrs. H. Precisely, Emily. 

Miss C. (sourly). And just because you married you 
know everything about them. 

Mrs. H. (sweetly) . Oh no, Emily, I wouldn't say that. 
Men are strange and Max is a puzzle, but what I do 
know is that Claire Thomas will never attract Max and 
inviting her here was foolishness on your part. 

Miss C. (stubbornly), I don't see why. You never 
can tell who will attract whom. We've got to get him 
married, haven't we? 

Mrs. H. Oh yes, we've got to get him married. 

Miss C. (with reverence). We promised his father 
and what we promised his father • 

Mrs. H. I promised his father, dearie, and you only 
seconded the motion. (Mrs. Higglesworth is aware of 
her sister's affection for Alonzo, takes delight in teasing) 

Miss C. (icily). Alonzo 's so set on it. He hasn't 
another thought in his head. 

Mrs. H. (with meaning). Hasn't he! ^ 

Miss C. Why, what do you mean, Louise? 

Mrs. H. Whatever meaning you care to put upon it, 
Emily. 

Miss C. He— he hasn't spoken of marrying again, 
Louise ? 

Mrs. H. Not exactly. 

Miss C. You wouldn't marry him, Louise ? 

Mrs. H. (roguishUj). Never. Would you? 

Miss C. (quickly). Oh no, of course not. 

Mrs. H. He's rather nice at times. (Vaguely) 

Miss C. To— to you, Louise? 



10 The Gorgeous Cecile 

Mrs. H. Um-um! 

MissC. When? 

Mrs. H. At times, at frequent times, Emily. Isn't 
he nice to you ? 

Miss C. Oh yes, often. (She sits. Pause) Louise, 
how do you do your hair? 

Mrs. H. (indifferently), Therese does it. 

Miss C. Would you ask her to do mine sometime ? 

Mrs. H. Certainly. But with so few strands 

Miss C. I think you're unkind. 

Mrs. H. I didn't mean to be, dearie, but there, I 
suppose the truth is often unkind. 

Miss C. {ignoring the remark because she wants *' to 
get something out of " her sister). Louise, in your ex- 
perience with men, do you find the hair, that is the way 
it's done up — makes much difference to men? 

Mrs. H. (mischievously). Oh, loads. Emily. IVe 
known a man to turn down a perfectly fine girl because 
of the way her hair was done. 

Miss C. Isn't it dreadful? 

Mrs. H. Isn't it! 

Miss C. Of course I don't suppose an older man, that 
is, a middle-aged man — is so particular. 

Mrs. H. More so, my dear, more so. A well-dressed 
head means everything to him. Take Lonnie 

Miss C. (aghast). Lonnie? 

Mrs. H. Yes, Alonzo. 

Miss C. You call him Lonnie? (Reproachfully) 
Oh, Louise! 

Mrs. H. Take Lonnie, for instance ; he's terribly par- 
ticular. The other night going in to dinner he took 
the trouble to tell me the wave in my hair was too 
tight. 

Miss C. Mercy ! he never said such a thing to me. 

Mrs. H. Naturally, since you don't have a wave in 
your hair. 

Miss C. (who has implicit faith in her sister's knowl- 
edge of men hut hates to admit it). Do you think he 
would if I did, Louise? 



The Gorgeous Cecile 11 

Mrs. H. (sweetly). Oh, I shouldn't wonder. (Pause, 
while Emily smiles to herself) Have you seen the new 
maid? 

Miss C. Cecile? Yes. 

Mrs. H. Isn't she wonderful? 

Miss C. Wonderful? 

Mrs. H. Oh, Emily, you're so stupid. Sometimes I 
can't imagine you are my sister. I mean wonderful to 
look at, of course. Such a figure, positively divine, and 
the way she carries herself, ah! 

Miss C. I hadn't noticed. (Pause, while Emily 
seniles again) Louise, do you think I could have some 
puffs made from my hair? 

Mrs. H. Good heavens, Emily! Puffs aren't worn 
now. What you want is a wig. 

Miss C. (hitingly). Well, you are humorous, aren't 
you? 

Mrs. H. (with a low, pretty laugh). Forgive me, 
dear.. 

Miss C. You might help me. 

Mrs. H. Help you ? What for ? 

Miss C. Help me to look nice. 

Mrs. H. But, Emily, you're 

Miss C. There, I knew you'd say it. You're hard. 
You always were, and why you had all the good looks 
is more than I can see. 

Mrs. H. It's not looks entirely, my dear. 

Miss C. (desperately) . Well, what is it then? 

Mrs. H. {knowing her sister's impossibilities). Oh, 
everything ! 

Miss C. Louise, you're exasperating. 

Mrs. H. Emily, I believe you're in love. 

Miss C. (gulping). I — I 

Mrs. H. {laughing prettily). I'm not blaming you, 
my dear, but it 's a very unwise thing to do. 

Miss C. Unwise or otherwise — you were once in that 
state. 

Mrs. H. (with sudden seriousness) . I was young and 
foolish then.- 



12 The Gorgeous Cecile 

Miss C. Were you young two years ago when you 
entertained each night for a season that man » 

Mrs. H. I was a martyr. (Emily sneers openly) 
And, really, Emily, I thought all the time you ought to 
be entertaining him, but all I could say and do he would 
stick to me. {With a sigh) It's always been that way 
ever since I can remember. 

Miss C. I suppose he wasn't young enough. I sup- 
pose you're looking to be a young man's slave, next 
venture. 

Mrs. H. Heavens, Emily, what English ! 

Miss C. Well, perhaps you'll get the opportunity 
yet. 

Mrs. H. (sighing). Perhaps. 

Miss C. And I suppose you'd take up with it. 

Mrs. H. I think so, if he loved me. 

ENTER Mr. Meredith, d. r. His interest is entirely 
taken up by the hooks scattered about. 

Miss C. (first ; with feeling) . Alonzo! 

Meredith. Yes, yes, Emily, what is it? (Deigns to 
glance up) 

Miss C. (foolishly). How delightful the new shelves 
are! 

Meredith (irritated, as usual, at her). Shelves? 

Miss C. For your plays. 

Meredith. Ah yes, yes. 

Mrs. H. (languidly), Lonnie. 

Meredith. Ah, Louise. (Goes over to chaise-longue) 
I didn't expect to find you here. (He is pleased) 

Mrs. H. My dear man, you wouldn't have, but every 
other room in this house is being housecleaned. 

Meredith. I had hoped you came here because of a 
personal interest. 

Mrs. H. (starting up). Lonnie, I'm a brute. Where 
is it? 

Meredith (drawing a soft covered book from his 
pocket). Here, Louise. 



The Gorgeous Cecile 13 

Mrs. H. You dear wonderful man. {He h earns) 
Tour new play. How could I forget? Such adorable 
covers! (Rises and takes his arm. Miss Courtney 
glares) 

Meredith. Do you like it? 

Mrs. H. Like it ? I should say I did. My dear 
man, it's the best ever. (Leading him to secretary) 
You've just got to give this copy to me and (Handing 
him a pen) with your autograph! (He writes, chuck- 
ling) Lonnie, I'm proud of you. To think we should 
have a real author in the family! I've had hopes, but 
never such ambitious ones as that. (He hands her the 
hook) Thank you. I shall treasure it for always. 
(Hugs it) 

Miss C. (who has been watching them intently). 
A-hem! (Vei^y loud) 

Mrs. H. (jumping). Mercy, Emily, what do you 
want ? 

Miss C. (icily). I just wanted to let you and 
Alonzo know that there are other people who are proud 
of him too. 

Meredith. Thank you, Emily. 

Miss C. (rising). And that feel just as much of an 
interest in him if they don't gush and mash words. 

Mrs. H. (with a laugh). Oh, Emily, you are so ab- 
surd. 

ENTER Claire Thomas d. r. 

Claire (seeing Mrs. Higglesworth). Pardon me, I 
was looking for Miss Courtney. 

Miss C. Right here, my dear. Come in. (Emily is 
all smiles, realising in Claire's arrival a feather in her 
own cap; she goes to meet Claire and pecks her gingerly 
on the cheek) You're not looking a bit tired after your 
journey. Did you find everything up-stairs satisfactory ? 

Claire. Quite, thank you. Miss Courtney. 

Miss C. (turning toward Meredith and Mrs. Higgles- 
worth). My sister, Mrs. Higglesworth, you have met. 



14 The Gorgeous Cecile 

Mrs. H. I believe so. 

Claire {with genuine admiration). Oh, yes, I can 
never forget you. (Miss Courtney glowers) 

Miss C. My brother-in-law, Mr. Meredith, Miss 
Thomas. {They shake hands) 

Mrs. H. I'm sure we are to enjoy your visit im- 
mensely. You're very clever, I hear. 

Claire. Oh no, you're quite wrong. I'm not clever, 
but people think so because I 've written a play or two. 

Meredith {wide eyed). You write plays? (Mrs. 
HiGGLESWORTH a7id her sister exchange glances) 

Claire. Yes. Are you interested in plays? 

My.'Redvyb. {fairly wild). Interested in plays ? Louise, 
she asks me if I am interested in plays ? 

Mrs. H; My brother-in-law is something of a play- 
wright himself. 

Claire. How delightful! 

Meredith. I had one produced a short while ago by 
the Euclid Club and I have recently had one published 
by Oswald, Dean & Riche. {Indicating volume Mrs. 

HiGGLESWORTH holds) 

Claire. Really! Of course you will let me read 
them? 

Meredith. Charmed to. 

Claire. Oh, I'm so glad I came. I didn't expect 
reallj^ to come upon such congeniality. 

Meredith {pulling forward a chair). Sit down, do. 
I'm sure w^e have a lot to talk about. (Claire sits and 
he draws up another chair) Will you sit, Louise? 

Mrs. H. Thank you, Lonnie, but J should be such a 
poor third to your very interesting party that I think I '11 
beofe. 

Claire {who admires her). I'm sure you couldn't be 
a poor third to any party. ( To Miss Courtney) You '11 
stay, Miss Courtney? 

Meredith. Emily isn't interested in plays. {Turns 
directly to Claire and begins to talk. Emily shows her 
dissatisfaction. Louise looks at Emily a moment, then 
laughs softly; they are hack of the others) 



The Gorgeous Cecile 16 

Miss C. I didn't know she wrote plays and you 
needn't look at me like that. 

Mrs. H. {pleased with it all). Oh Emily, you are too 
ridiculous. A wife for Max indeed ! A wife for Lonnie 
I should say. [EXIT d. r. Emily flaunts after her 

Meredith. I suppose you have studied playwriting. 

Claire. Yes, here and abroad. 

Meredith. Ah ! 

Claire. And you? 

Meredith. Never seriously. 

Claire. But you have written with success. 

Meredith (dolefully). Only tragedies, and any one 
can write a tragedy. 

Claire. I don't agree with you — (Laughing) and at 
the very beginning — that 's bad. 

Meredith (seriously. He is very anxious ihere shall 
he no disagreements) . I mean this way. With a trag- 
edy the audience knows what it has come to see and does 
not expect anything to laugh at — any Avit, any humorous 
situations. I'm no good at humorous situations. I 
can 't seem to get them. And the dialogue — do you have 
trouble in getting a bright, snappy dialogue 1 

Claire. Generally I do. Wit is not easy to acquire. 

Meredith. Ah no, that's it, and unless you are born 
witty 

Claire. But so few of us are. Don't be discouraged, 
Mr. Meredith. 

Meredith. I'm not now. In fact, your coming here 
has given me heart and renewed hopes. We shall have 
so much in common, ah yes. Perhaps — I 'm not presum- 
ing too much to say we might collaborate on a play some 
day — you and I 

Claire. Oh, delightful ! 

Meredith. You — you could supply the humor. 

Claire. I don't know why you should think me hu- 
morous. I've shown no instance of it as yet. 

Meredith. But writing is quite different than talk- 
ing. (Not meaning to he impolite) Haven't you often 
known the cleverest comedy writers to be lugubrious 



16 The Gorgeous Cecile 

creatures in society and the greatest tragedians makers 
of fun? Now I'm sure you have a sense of humor and 
wit in writing. • 

Claire. And why are you so sure you haven 't ? 

Meredith {confidentially). Well, this is why. If I 
had a sense of humor I'd appreciate my sister-in-law, 
Emily, but as I haven't {Stops helpless) 

Claire {laughing). You are droll. 

Meredith. And as for wit, I never made a witty re- 
mark knowingly in my life. 

Claire. I don't believe you. Pardon me. {Gets up 
and goes to hook shelves) What an interesting array ! 

Meredith {following her). Yes, I think I have nearly 
every play that was ever published. 

Claire. What a feast! 

Meredith. It seems to me an excellent way to pre- 
pare oneself for playwriting. We might do some read- 
ing aloud from the best of them. 

Claire {turning to him with enthusiasm). Do you 
suppose we could put on a play here? 

Meredith. I don 't know why not, I 'm sure. 

Claire {clasping her hands). Get our own cast! 
Coach them ! Oh, I 'm sure we could. 

Meredith. And get our characters? 

Claire. From the household, perhaps the servants. 
IVe known of cases where remarkable talent has been 
found among the servants. Why, at Lady Randolph's 
last year, there was a housemaid who turned out to be a 
wonder. 

Meredith. You don't say! 

Claire. Oh, I think it would be just too splendid. 
I'd do the settings and help with the coaching! {He 
beams. Life has never before offered him such joy) 
You could be chief coach and I 'd offer hints and sugges- 
tions. 

ENTER Max Meredith and Prothero Jones c. d. 

Max. HuUoa, dad! {They shake hands) 
Meredith. Hulloa, huUoa! 



The Gorgeous Cecile 17 

Jones. Howdy, Mr. Meredith. 

Meredith {shaking hands) . This is a surprise. Glad 
to see you, my boy. {Turning to Claire) I say, Miss— 
er — er 

Claire {smiling). Thomas. Claire Thomas. 

Meredith. Miss Thomas, my son, Max, and Mr. Jones. 
{She offers her hand to each in turn. Max looks an- 
noyed) 

Claire. I 'm delighted to meet you. 

Meredith {in a reverential whisper). Max, she writes 
plays. 

Max. By Jove, dad, is that so? 

Jones. You don 't say. Well, that is interesting. 

Meredith. She's had three accepted and acted at 
the Playhouse. 

Claire. Oh dear, you are making me out quite a 
genius and I'm not one at all. {To Max) I came here 
visiting your aunt, Miss Courtney, and I have only just 
arrived. 

Max. And my father cornered you. I see. Play- 
writing is his hobby. By the way, what 's become of the 
rest of the family? Haven't seen a soul and we've 
been all over the place. (Miss Courtney appears at 

D. R.) 

Meredith. Your aunts were here a moment ago. 

Miss C. {frigidly). I'm here now. 

Max. Hulloa, Aunt Emily. {He kisses her shyly) 

Miss C. I'm glad you've come, Max. 

Max {with meaning). I see you have prepared for 
my coming. 

Jones. How de do, Miss Courtney. {They shake 
hands) 

Miss C. I came in for Miss Thomas. I thought she 
might like to see the garden instead of sitting in this 
stuffy room. 

Meredith. Of course, of course, deucedly stupid of 
me, deucedly stupid. 

Claire. Oh, you're not stupid at all, Mr. Meredith. 
CMiss Courtney takes her arm) You're delightful 



18 The Gorgeous Cecile 

company and I'll see you later. (Miss Courtn«y leads 
her to D. R. Tiastily) 

[EXIT Miss Courtney and Claire d. r. 

Meredith. Clever girl, the cleverest girl I ever met. 
Knows something and she's good looking too, one in a 
thousand. 

Max. Now dad, I know what you're aiming at and 
you needn't begin that rot. I know why she's here. 
Proth., old chap, got a cig? (Jones hands him a ciga- 
rette which he lights) 

Meredith {having actually forgotten why she is here). 
Why, she 's here, she 's here — she 's here 

Max. Yes, she's here. I'm well aware of it. 

Meredith. As a friend of your Aunt Emily's, and 
I'm sure 

Max {with a wink at Jones). Well, you needn't be 
sure of anything. 

Meredith. — that I'm glad she is. 

Max. Keep on being glad and entertain her. I 
won 't. I 've brought Proth. down here for some hunting 
and I'm not going to be bothered with a red-headed 
girl. {He sits) 

Jones. I say. Max, you're a bear. 

Max {to Jones). Yes, you've got it too. I suppose 
you're in love with her already. It would be like you, 
and I shan 't be able to get you beyond the grounds. 

Meredith {going over to Max). Max, listen. {With 
sudden eagerness) You shall do all the hunting you 
want, all you want, I say. I'll — I'll entertain Miss 
Thomas! [EXITS hastily d. r. Max stares after him 

Max. Well, can you beat it? {Throws his head hack 
and laughs) 

Jones. Max, don't you ever intend to look at a 
girl? 

Max. Cut it, Proth. Don't waste words. What 
love-sick story are you going to tell me now? I suppose 
it's a widow this time. Well, wait until you meet Aunt 
Louise, widow of the late Colonel Higglesworth, and all 
other dames wiU be as nothing. She's come to live with 



The Gorgeous Cecile 19 

US along with Aunt Emily. Proth., I believe you'll fall 
for her. 

Jones. Shouldn't wonder. It wouldn't be the first 
widow I'd fallen for. I say, what was that red-haired 
girl's name? 

Max. Thomas? Wasn't it? 

Jones. No, I mean her first name. 

Max. What are you going to do? Write a sonnet 
to her? Well, Proth., you'd better be about it. The 
governor's met her on common ground. 

Jones. It's easy to write a sonnet to a red-haired 
girl. 

Max (warningly). Proth., remember the big game 
we've come after. 

Jones. She did have unusual hair. 

Max. Wait until you see Aunt Louise. Hers is even 
more unusual. Real Titian hues. Aunt Louise was a 
belle, Proth. She knows all the ropes of the game. 

Jones. I wonder then she hasn't trapped yoa into 
marrying some fair damsel. 

Max. Ah, Proth., I'd like to see the woman who 
could trap me. 

Jones. So would I. By Jove, I'd give a good deal. 
There 's that sweet little Vincent kid. I 've fallen in love 
with her a dozen times. 

Max. Proth., you're getting to be a bore. Let's go 
out and have a look at the kennels. (Goes to c. d., Jones 
following, just as Cecile ENTERS. Both simultane- 
ously stop and stare) 

Cecile. I beg your pardon. I didn't know any one 
was here. {She turns) 

Max. Come in. We're going out. {She turns hack 
and goes over to bookcase) 

[EXIT Max and Jones c. d., after a long backward 
glance. 

ENTER Pauline d. r. 

Cecile {turning). I've seen him. 
Pauline. Who ? 



20 The Gorgeous Cecile 

Cecile. The young lord of the house. 

Pauline. Mr. Max? • 

Cecile. Um-um. 

Pauline. Has he come? You don't say. Ain't he 
wonderful? 

Cecile. Divine. 

Pauline. I knew you'd think so — I just knew it. 

Cecile (taking an armful of hooks from lower shelf). 
I '11 take these back to the library, the green ones. They 
are novels that got mixed in and you come along with 
the others. (Pauline piles hooks on her arm) 

[EXIT Cecile c. d. 

ENTER Max d. r., goes close to Pauline, stares, ruhs 
his head thoughtfully. 

Max. I say, have I seen you before? 

Pauline (letting all the hooks fall). Y-yes-s-s-s-ir. 

Max. When? 

Pauline. Many t-times, s-sir, in this very house. 

Max. Did — did I meet you just now coming in that 
door as I went out ? 

Pauline. No s-sir, not me, sir. 

Max (with a great sigh) . I thought not. Thank you. 
[EXIT D. R., leaving Pauline staring after him as the 
curtain falls. 

QUICK CURTAIN 



ACT II 

SCENE. — Same as Act I. Time. — Afternoon of the next 
day. DISCOVERED, Max, hack to audience, lean- 
ing against the frameway of c. d. He is smoking a 
pipe and talking to Cecile, who is at work among 
the hooks in the lihrary. 

Max (in a voice to arouse sympathy). I didn't get 
so much as a rabbit. Worse luck! 



The Gorgeous Cecile 21 

Cecile {from within, in a disinterested voice) . Didn 't 
you? 

Max. No. {Pause. Making a desperate effort for 
conversation) Are you fond of dogs? 

CeciIjE (shortly). Not very. {Pause) 

Max. Have you ever been out to the kennels ? 

Cecile. No. 

Max. Great place, the kennels. {Whistles softly, 
turns, and comes into room, stopping by bookcase at r. 
Presently Cecile ENTERS c. d. with some books. Max 
watches her place them on shelves). More plays? 

Cecile. Always more plays. 

Max. The governor has gone daft on the subject of 
the drama. Are you appointed guardian of the library ? 

Cecile. Oh dear, I hope not. I'd hate to be ap- 
pointed guardian of anything. {Starts back toward c. d.) 

Max {courageously for him). I wish you wouldn't go. 
(Cecile stops, her back toward him) I think you might 
stay and entertain me. I think I deserve it after the 
day's hard luck. 

Cecile. I have ten thousand books to dust. 

Max. They won't mind if you neglect them and I will 
most awfully if you neglect me. 

Cecile. But I 'm not entertaining, not the least little 
bit. 

Max. I'm not so sure. At any rate you can answer 
questions. Do you mind if I ask you a few ? 

Cecile {turning to him). No. Do you mind if I ask 
you a few? 

Max {gallantly) . Not at all. Fire away. 

Cecile. You may begin. You started the game. 

Max. Thank you. How long have you been here ? 

Cecile. One week to-day. That 's a terribly uninter^ 
esting question. 

Max. I '11 do better next time. Go ahead. 

Cecile {smiling). Why don't you like girls? 

Max. Who said I didn't? 

Cecile. You 're not answering my question. 

Max. I can't. 



22 The Gorgeous Cecile 

Cecile. Then we won't continue the game. 

Max. Oh, yes, we will. Are you engaged? . 

CEGihE {with finality) . No. 

Max. And never intend to be ? 

Cecile. Oh, I don't know. Maybe. Why don't you 
get married? 

Max. Give me time. 

Cecile. You're not playing fair. You don't answer 
direct. {Starts off) I'm going. 

Max {taking a step toiuard her). Don't go, please. 

Cecile {stopping in the doorway). Yes. 

Max. You'd be surprised if I told you you were the 
only girl I ever begged to stay with me. 

Cecile. You're conceited. 

Max {playfully). Could you blame me? 

Cecile. You're hopeless. 

Max. Oh no, don't say that. Why, you don't half 
know me. 

Cecile. I don't want to if that's what you're like. 
(However y she comes hack in the room) 

Max. But I'm not really. I'm awfully nice. I 
know I ought not to say so, but there 's no one else around 
to say it and I do want you to know it. Let's go on 
with the questions. We'll begin all over again and I'll 
be good. Let's see. Do you like butter? 

Cecile. Immensely. — Who is your nice-looking 
friend? 

Max. He isn't nice looking. 

Cecile. There, you see. 

Max. I beg your pardon. Prothero Jones — but he 
isn 't nice looking. 

Cecile. No remarks. They aren't in the game. Be- 
sides I think he is. Go on. 

Max. Do you think he's better looking than I am? 

Cecile. No. 

Max {solemnly) . Thank you. 

Cecile. How long are you going to stay here? 

Max. Forever, I think. Are you flirting with me? 
Cecile. I never flirt. Why do you follow me about ? 



The Gorgeous Cecile 23 

Max {really puzzled), I don't know. 

Cecile. I believe you do. Your father will be very- 
angry. He expects you to give all your attention to Miss 
Thomas. 

Max. I don't think so. Twice last evening he glow- 
ered at me for breaking in on their conversation. Why 
do you wear that frill on your head? 

Cecile. It 's the custom — a part of my uniform. 

Max. It covers up your hair. 

Cecile. That's what it's meant to do. 

Max. Eotten custom ! How do you like it here ? 

Cecile. Very much indeed. 

Max. Is my aunt Emily kind ? 

Cecile. I wouldn't say that exactly. (Smiling) 
She's — she's rather sour, isn't she? 

Max. Yes. Poor Aunt Emily. I reckon she'd like 
to marry the governor. 

Cecile. You mustn't tell family secrets to the serv- 
ants. Very bad form. 

Max. I believe I 'd tell you anything. {He Ms really 
lost his head) 

Cecile. Mr. Meredith! 

Max. Why won't you take what I say seriously? I 
am very much in earnest. 

Cecile. Because you don't know what you're saying. 
You don't know me. You only met me yesterday. 

Max. But I never met anyone — that is, I never felt 
this way toward another girl in all my life — never. 

Cecile. You are bored down here. The hunting is 
poor and 

Max. Oh rot ; I was bored lots of times on furlough in 
France. 

Cecile. I'm sorry for you, awfully sorry, but you'll 
feel different about it to-morrow. 

Max. I won 't, I tell you. I know myself well enough 
for that. I — I — why yesterday you swept me completely 
off my feet and it was the first time I had ever seen you. 
{Humhly) You — you've made me feel — I can't explain 
it. {Walks hack and forth) I think, yes, I am suro 



24 The Gorgeous Cecile 

that yesterday I was happy — at least I thought I was, 
and now 

Cecile. You'll get over it, the unhappiness, I mean. 

Max. See here. Why are you talking to me like this ? 
You are engaged. There is someone else. 

Cecile. That was a game of truth we played, wasn't 
it? 

Max. No, I don't believe it. 

Cecile. I'm not engaged. 

Max. But there is someone? 

Cecile. We mustn't talk like this here, and I'm neg- 
lecting my work. 

[EXIT quickly c. D., ivkile Ms hack is turned 

Max (walks hack and forth in deep tJiought, then 
turns, thi7iki7ig she is still there. In a voice of inspira- 
tion). Cecile! {Simultaneously icith the cry Jones 
appears at c. d. and stares at Max in amazement. Pause) 

ENTER Jones c. d. 

Jones {repeating the name, hut letting his voice fall). 
Cecile! 

Max. I say, old chap, I might as well confess. Vve 
got to have this out with someone. Proth., what in the 
devil 's in the air here ? 

Jones (going up to him and peering anxiously into his 
face). Yes — yes, you've got it bad. By Jove, you're all 
broken out — but who is she ? 

Max (hr caking aivay from him). Proth., she's gor- 
geous ! 

Jones (humoring him). Yes, yes, I know all about it. 
But who is she ? 

Max. Why — she's, she's— that's right, who is she? 

Jones. Max, what in the 

Max. Her name's Cecile. 

Jones. So I noticed. But that's not very definite. 
Is she a young girl, a widow, an old maid, a matron, and 
where, pray, and when did you meet her ? It must have 
been past midnight. 

Max. I met her here. 



The Gorgeous Cecile 25 

Jones. In your father's house? (Solemnly) Well, 
couldn 't be better, but why has she escaped me ? 

Max. She hasn 't. You saw her yesterday. 

Jones. I — saw — her — yesterday ? 

Max. You did, sir, and in this very room. 

Jones. A-ah, I know. By Jove, she was gorgeous. 

But {Pause, during which they regard each other 

fixedly) 

Max (stubbornly) . Well! 

Jones (with a whistle). Do you think you are going 
to marry her? 

Max (none so blind as those who will not see). 
Haven 't asked her yet. I 'm afraid she won 't have me. 

Jones. I didn't mean that. I was thinking of the 
governor. 

Max. The governor's in a mood to accept anything so 
long as Miss Thomas stays. 

Jones. Whew, you are optimistic. 

Max (all humbleness). Proth., do you think she'll 
take me? 

Jones (slapping him on the back). Haven't a doubt 
of it, old chap. Cheer up. 

Max. Haven 't you really ? A doubt, I mean. 

Jones. Of course not. (Bursts out laughing) 

Max (irritated). You're a nice sort of a friend for a 
fellow to have. 

Jones. But I can't help it. (Laughing again) 
You're so damned serious. 

Max. Of course I 'm serious and I want you to be. 

Jones (recalling the times Max has jeered at hiyn on 
like occasions). You haven't always had the most won- 
derful patience with me. 

Max. You — you fall in love a dozen times a week. 
How could I have patience? When j^ou really fall in 
love, Proth., oh gee, if you ever feel as Avretehed and as 
happy as I do I 'il— T '11 

Jones (shaking his head wisely). Yes, I knov/, old 
man. Awful, ain't it? Feel like proclaiming it to the 
world, don't you? 



26 The Gorgeous Cecile 

Max. If I was sure of her 



Jones. Sure of her? I've no doubts there. Better 
be sure of the governor. 

Max. Proth., I 'm intending to break the news to him 
to-day, before dinner to-night. I've made up my mind. 

Jones. George, man, you have courage. 

Max. Oh, the governor 's not so bad if you know how 
to handle him. 

Jones. Yes, but you don't. 

Max. Curses, I know it. 

Jones. Better let Cecile do it. That girl must have 
tact, to say the least. What are you going to tell him? 
You haven't proposed to her yet. 

Max. But you said you hadn't a doubt of her accept- 
ing. 

Jones. I haven't. 

Max. I'm going to tell him I intend to marry her if 
she'll have me. 

Jones. That's good, and if he— — 

Max. I'm not asking him — mind you, I'm telling 
him. 

Jones. I see! (Pause) And of course he'll turn 
you out and you'll get a job as chauffeur and live happily 
ever after. Max, be reasonable. If the governor turns 
you out, I shan't take you in. I'm a friend of the gov- 
ernor's. He's been mighty nice to me, and then (With 
a smile) I'm soon to meet your very charming aunt and I 
v/ant to be on good terms with the family. 

Max. That's just like you, Proth. Looking out for 
yourself. 

Jones. My dear fellow, I'm looking out for, you too. 
You can't live without money. What are you educated 
for? Nothing. You have what they call a gentleman's 
education, much culture and travel, some science 

Max. Oh, cut it ; I can work with my hands, and by 
George, I '11 do it. 

Jones. You really intend to defy him then ? ( With 
a groan) Ah, Max, old boy, you have got it bad. I'd 
rather have light cases like mine and have 'em oftener. 



The Gorgeous Cecile 27 

Max (now years wiser than his friend) . You've never 
been in love. 

Jones. Glad I haven't, if it's going to make the fool 
of me it has of you. 

Max. You wait until you are. 

ENTER Mr. Meredith c. d. He goes to bookcase, not 
noticing anyone, and begins searching for a book. 

Max (taking the bull by the horns). I say, dad, I've 
something important to say to you. (Jones gives vent 
to a low whistle) 

Meredith (turning about, startled). Oh, oh, yes yes. 
I was looking for a copy of ''The Mollusc" for Miss — er 
— Thomas. 

Max. Yes, yes, but I've something of importance to 
say to you. 

Meredith. Can't it wait? She's — she's — that is, I 
wouldn't like to keep her waiting, you know. 

Max. Oh, it won't take long. 

Jones (going to c. d.). I'll meet you in Honolulu, old 
chap. Good luck! [EXIT c. d. 

Meredith. "Well? What is it? 

Max (plunging). Dad, I'm in love. 

Meredith. In love? (With sudden sympathy he 
clasps his son's hand) Jove, boy, I understand and I'm 
glad for you. Nothing could please me more. 

Max (a little taken back). Wait a minute. You 
haven 't asked who she is. 

Meredith. Yes, yes, who is she, Max ? 

Max. Cecile — parlor maid in your establishment and 
guardian of your plays. 

Meueditu (staggered). Cecile! Parlormaid! Guard- 
ian ! Plays ! 

Max. That's right, dad, you've got it. 

Meredith. But ! (They regard each other in silence) 

Max (stiffening). Yes? 

Meredith. You — you — you 

Max (nervously. He is not really impudent). T— • 
W, X, Y, z. 



28 The Gorgeous Cecile 

Meredith. Eh ? 

Max. I didn't say anything. • 

Meredith. It seems to me you have said a great deal. 
Has she consented to marry you? 

Max. I haven't asked her yet, but I intend to. 

Meredith. Max, this cannot l3e. You know this can- 
not be. It had better end right here. 

Max. I don't see it that way. (Miss Courtney ap- 
pears at d. r. and Mrs. Higglesworth at c. d.) 

Meredith. But you will in time. Come, come, I will 
have the girl discharged. 

Max (vehemently) . But I tell you I love her. 

Mrs. H. {with a gay little laugh). Oh, how wonder- 
ful. He actually loves at last. {Clasps her hands dra- 
matically) 

Miss C. {with only one girl in mind). My dear 
nephew, I knew you w^ould. I knew it. I knew it. 
{Flutters up to Max and attempts to kiss him) Louise, 
I told you so. Oh, Alonzo, it 's all my doings. {Flutters 
to Meredith and clasps his coat lapels) Aren't you 
going to say something to me ? 

Meredith. Um. So it's all your affair, is it? Well, 
I '11 say something to you. You're a fool. 

Miss C. {falling hack). Why, Alonzo! I don't un- 
derstand. Miss Thomas 

Meredith {in a terrible voice; Miss Courtney always 
annoys him). Miss Thomas! 

Max. Don't get excited, Aunt Emily. There's a 
misunderstanding. I'm not going to marry Miss 
Thomas. 

Miss C. Not going to marry Miss Thomas (Mrs. 

Higglesworth hursts into a ripple of laughter) 

Max {grimly). In fact, I don't stand much show in 
that quarter. 

Meredith. A-hem ! 

Mrs. H. For heaven's sake, someone explain. 

Meredith. Explain! I'll explain! He's going to 
marry Cecile, the parlor maid. 

Mrs. H. The gorgeous Cecile! (Goes to Max and 



The Gorgeous Cecile 29 

ofers her hand) Congratulations, my dear. (Max 
takes her hand gratefully) 
Miss C. But he mustn't, of course. 
Mrs. H. Mustn't? Why not? I think she's the 
loveliest specimen of young womanhood I ever saw. 

Meredith {who fears Mrs. Higglesworth's influence 

over all of them, especially himself), I'll see the girl 

here now. 

Max {laconically). You can't. She's gone m town. 

Meredith. Then I'll see her when she returns. At 

any rate, I've kept that young lady waiting long enough. 

[EXITS hurriedly d. r. 
Miss C. What young lady does he mean? 
Mrs. H. Your young lady, Emily, my dear, the one 
you sent for to marry Max. 

Miss C. {starting toward CD.). Oh, what a dread- 
ful state of affairs, what a dreadful state of affairs! 
(EXIT CD. and is heard from the lilrary) What a 
dreadful state of affairs ! 
Mrs. H. Poor Aunt Emily. 

Max. Yes, she wants to marry the governor and he 
won't have her. {With a great sigh) Tough luck! 

He's always wanted you. Aunt Louise 

Mrs. H. No, no dear. 

Max. Yes, he has, but I don't blame you for not 

marrying another old duffer after having put up with 

one once. A young man for you this time, Aunt Louise. 

Mrs. H. You mustn't say such things about your 

father, even if you are angry with him, dear. 

Max. It's a beastly business and he's no right to rule 
me. I'll not put up with it. 

Mrs. H. {patting his cheek). Patience, Max. A 
dreadful thing to ask of a lover, isn't it? 
Max. I '11 not be ruled. 

Mrs. H. No, no, of course not. But you must use a 
little discretion or you'll lose everything. {Walks away 
with a little sigh) When am I to meet your friend? 
He's been in the house for two days and I haven't so 
much as caught a glimpse of him. Come, get him for me. 



30 The Gorgeous Cecile 

I feel like being amused. We'll have a cozy tea party 
right here, you and Prothero, is that it? and I. * 

Max (restlessly) . I can't. 

Mrs. H. It's the first time you ever refused me any- 
thing. 

Max. But you understand, don't you? 

Mrs. H. Of course, dear. Go out in the park and 
meditate, but send Mr. Prothero Jones to me. 

ENTER Jones d. r. 

Jones. I beg your pardon. 

Max. Come in, Proth. I'm feeling anything but 
sociable and here's a lady who wants to be entertained. 
Mrs. Higglesworth — Mr. Jones. 

Mrs. H. (extending a gracious hand). How do you 
do, Mr. Jones. I'm sure youWe sociable. 

Jones (wlio is charmed with her). I endeavor to be, 
madam. 

Mrs. H. (to Max, as he goes to d. r.). Tell Wade we 
want tea, Maxy dear. 

Max. I will. [EXIT d. r. 

Mrs. H. Poor boy. His first affair. (She sits, drap- 
ing herself gracefully on the chaise-longue) 

Jones (drawing a chair up beside her). And likely 
to be his last. I know him. 

Mrs. H. Now you aren't going to begin by being 
pessimistic. You've got to be nice. I'm used to only 
nice men. 

Jones. I'd be a brute not to be at my best in your 
company. 

Mrs. H. Tell me, do you think Max is really in love ? 

Jones. I do. 

Mrs. H. I'm so glad, dear Max. 

Jones. But has he a ghost of a chance with his 
father? 

Mrs. H. No, but Cecile has. 

Jones. Ah, Cecile! 

Mrs. H. I see. She has captured you toe. 



The Gorgeous Cecile 31 

Jones. If she has, she has been supplanted. 

Mrs. H. Ah, you fickle creature, and all within two 
days. 

Jones. Aren't you the least curious to know who has 
supplanted her ? 

ENTER Wade d. r., with a tea wagon. 

Mrs. H. I 'm never curious. 

Jones. Interested then. 

Mrs. H. Of course, if you'd like to have me be. {To 
Wade) I'll serve, Wade. That's all. (Wade EXITS 
D. r.) It isn't Pauline, is it? {Slyly. Begins to pour 
the tea) 

Jones. Pauline ? 

Mrs. H. Cecile 's accomplice. 

Jones {laughing). I don't go to the servants' quar- 
ters for my friends. I find them up-stairs, here, at any 
rate. 

Mrs. H. That's nice of you because it isn't being 
done nowadays. Will you take lemon ? 

Jones. I will. 

Mrs. H. And sugar? 

Jones. May I? 

Mrs. H. One pinch. {Gives him a cup of tea) 

Jones. You are kind. Did you read about the poor 
fellow who was sandbagged and robbed of a pound of 
sugar shortly after eleven last night? 

Mrs. H. {sympathetically). Really? Well, he ought 
to have known better than carry it home at that hour. 
I think, yes, I am sure he deserved his fate. 

Jones. But few of us get what we deserve. 

Mrs. H. {sipping tea). Ah, yes! 

Jones. You are unhappy? 

Mrs. H. Why do you ask? 

Jones. In the hope that you are. I have always 
wanted a mission in life and I can't imagine a more 
beautiful one than that of making you happy. 

Mrs. H. Let's not talk about me. Tell me about 
yourself. 



32 The Gorgeous Cecile 

Jones (witJi sincerity). Vd rather tell yoa how 
divinely beautiful you are. 

Mrs. H. {with a sigh). That's getting to be a bore. 
I've heard it now for — well, I won't say how many 
years. 

Jones. But never spoken with such sincerity. Keally, 
Mrs. Higglesworth, permit me to say you are the loveliest 
creature I ever met. 

Mrs. H. I don't doubt it. You're only thirty, aren't 
you? 

Jones. At thirty it's possible for one to have seen a 
great many people. 

Mrs. H. Yes, at thirty one is very old. 

Jones. Don't laugh at me. 

Mrs. H. I'm not. I'm taking you very seriously. 
You are charming. 

Jones. You didn't appear at dinner last night. 

Mrs. H. No, I had a wretched headache. 

Jones {in tones of deepest sympathy). Oh, I'm 
deucedly sorry. 

Mrs. H. I wish I'd known that last night. It would 
have comforted me. No one else is ever sorry for me. 

Jones. Beasts ! 

Mrs. H. Aren't they! I suppose you sat next Miss 
Thomas. 

Jones. Yes, but we spoke very little to each other. 

Mrs. H. That's strange. Wasn't she attractive? 

Jones. No. Let's not talk of Miss Thomas, please. 
{Setting down his cup) Let's talk of — {He regards her 
earnestly) 

Mrs. H. {on her guard). Something amusing. Your 
name, for instance. {Laughs) Prothero! A duck of 
a name! 

Jones. You like it? 

Mrs. H. I adore it. 

Jones. I'm glad. I can endure it now. You say it 
beautifully. 

Mrs.H. Do I? 

Jones. But then you say everything in the same way. 



The Gorgeous Cecile S3 

Mrs. H. Then if I say it so beautifully I suppose I 
may make use of it instead of the prosaic Jones. 

Jones. If you will do me the honor. 

Mrs. H. I will, Pro-th-er-o. 

Jones. I didn 't know such an ugly name could sound 
so beautiful. (She laugJis) 

Mrs. H. But really you haven't told me a thing about 
yourself. 

Jones. I 'd rather hear about you, please. 

Mrs. H. Oh, but that isn 't nice. You must take me 
as I am. How am I going to get you interested in my 
past when it was spent, most of it, dutifully with my 
husband. 

Jones. I don't believe it. 

Mrs. H. (her eyes twinkling) , Mr. Jones! 

Jones. I beg your pardon. I didn't mean — that is, 
oh, the deuce, your life must have been full of color. 

Mrs. H. No, very drab, really. 

Jones. Then all the better. Your life has just begun. 

Mrs. H. You think so? (Suddenly earnest) 

Jones. I know so. 

ENTER Miss Courtney hastily d. r. 

Miss C. (bursting out like a cyclone). Where is Miss 
Thomas? (Jones rises) She was to meet me here for 
an interview. 

Mrs. H. Interview? Heavens, Emily, you sound of- 
ficial. (She rises) 

Miss C. (sourly). I'm sorry to disturb you. 

Jones (to Mrs. H.). Sit down, please. You aren't 
going? 

Mrs. H. I must. Emily has an interview here and 
you don't know Emily's interviews. (Starts toward 

CD.) 

Jones (following). But I will see you to-night? 
Mrs. H. (her eyes on Emily). At dinner. 
Jones. And after? Perhaps a stroll on the terrace? 
Mrs. H. Charmed, Pro-th-er-o. [EXIT c. D. 



34 The Gorgeous Cecile 

Miss C. (fussily). I don't see where she can be. 

Jones. Who ? 

Miss C. (icily). Miss Thomas, of course. 

Jones. Oh, yes, yes. She hasn 't been here, that is, I 
haven't seen her and I have been right in this room. 

Miss C. You wouldn't see her. 

Jones. Pardon ? 

Miss C. You wouldn't see her. That minx wouldn't 
let you. 

Jones. Minx ? 

Miss C. Yes. My sister Louise. I suppose she has 
bewitched you. 

Jones (with memories already). She's wonderful. 

Miss C. There, I knew so. My dear Mr. Jones, let 
me tell you something. (Goes over to Mm very cere- 
moniously and whispers) She is thirty-eight, thirty- 
nine on the tenth of next month. 

Jones (amused). What matter? 

Miss C. No one is ever wonderful at that age. 

Jones. I beg your pardon. She is. [EXIT c. d. 

ENTER Claire Thomas d. r. 

Claire. I have kept you waiting. I 'm sorry. 

Miss C. Yes, you have kept me waiting. Come in. 

Claire. Mr. Meredith is so interesting and knows 
such a lot. 

Miss C. (icily). Yes, I've noticed you found him in- 
teresting. My dear Claire, I have planned this inter- 
view for the very purpose of telling you that you see far 
too much of Mr. Meredith. 

Claire (aghast). But — I don't understand. 

Miss C. It isn't discreet, my dear. (Takes her arm 
and draws her down beside her on the chaise-longue) 
He is a widower and 

Claire (defiantly.) I don't seek his company. He 
seeks mine. 

Miss C. All the more reason why you should avoid 
him. 



The Gorgeous Cecile 35 

Claire. I'm sorry if I've caused any disturbance. 
Perhaps I 'd better leave at once. 

Miss C. I think it advisable. 

Claire {still aghast). But what will they think, all 
of them? 

Miss C. I will make things plain. In fact I have 
thought of what I shall tell them already. It is all 
planned. If you can get ready by to-morrow. 

Claire. To-morrow? I can get ready to-night. 

Miss C. That's hardly necessary. To-morrow will 
do. You might stay in your room to-night 

Claire. I didn't mean to neglect you after you were 
kind enough to ask me down. 

Miss C. I forgive you everything, only you must go 
by to-morrow. 

Claire. I '11 go to my room now. 

Miss C. Yes, and I will say you have a headache. 

Claire (rising). Yes, yes, you can explain. {S taints 
toward d. r. ) 

ENTER Mr. Meredith d. r. 

Meredith. Ah, Miss Thomas, I've been looking for 
you everywhere. Where did you go? 

Claire (Tier head down), I — I — I 

Miss C. (coming forward). She has a severe head- 
ache, Alonzo, and is obliged to go at once to her room. 
Run along, dear, (To Claire) I'll explain. (Claire, 
confused and liurt, EXITS d. r.) 

Meredith (looking after Iter). Too bad, devilish 
shame. Wish I could do something. • 

Miss C. (taking his arm). In fact, Alonzo, she's had 
rather upsetting news, and must leave to-morrow morn- 
ing. 

Meredith. You don't say. To-morrow morning! 
But we haven't finished our readings and we in- 
tended 

Miss C. (with honey sweetness) . I'll finish them with 
you, Alonzo. 



36 The Gorgeous Cecile 

Meredith (staggered). But, Emily— you couldn't. 

i\Iiss C. Oh, yes, I could. You Ve never really toown 
my true self, Lonnie. {He regards her in amazement) 
I'm to show it to you after she has gone. You never 
knew I loved the drama, did you, Lonnie? Well, I do. 
{With coquettish shake of her finger) Yes, 7 do. 

[EXIT c. D., leaving Mr. Meredith in a daze, 

ENTER Cecile d. r. 

Cecile. I beg your pardon, sir, I was told you wanted 
to see me here. 

Meredith {tidying to pull himself together). Oh — 
or — yes. Come in. (Goes to middle of floor and he re- 
gards her a moment in silent admiration) So you are 
Cecile! 

Cecile. Yes, sir, I am Cecile. 

Meredith. Well, well. {Plainly he. is surprised) 
Sit down. 

Cecile. I '11 stand, thank you. 

Meredith (nervously) . It's about my son Max. 

Cecile. Yes, sir. 

Meredith. Er — er, in fact I don't know quite how to 
begin. I will say I was never in such a predicament in 
all my life, such a situation ! 

Cecile (really pitying him). Much like a play, sir. 

Meredith (beaming at once). Yes, yes, excellent 
situation. I see you appreciate the drama. 

Cecile (mischievously) , 1 do. In fact I've handled 
a great many plays. 

Meredith. Ah, is that so? (Rubs his hands with 
satisfaction) In them I suppose. Well, you'd make a 
fine heroine. 

Cecile. I 've always wanted to be one, sir. 

Meredith. Perhaps you will some day. I do a bit of 
playwriting myself. 

Cecile (enjoying herself). Is that so, sir? 

Meredith. Um-um. Now on quick consideration I'd 
cast you for an Isolde. Your hair, your face, your figure, 
but no, — not exactly either. (Contemplates her a mo- 



The Gorgeous Cecile 37 

ment in silence) Perhaps a composite of Isolde and 
Marguerite ! Ah, yes, that 's it. Excellent ! A-hem, do 
you, that is, would you like to take part in a play? 

Cecile. I ' Ve always longed to, sir. 

Meredith. That is enough. You probably have the 
latent talent. Jove, I 'd like to cast you. 

Cecile. Beg pardon, sir. 

Meredith {burning with enthusiasm). There's a 
play — one of Meredith's — wait! {Runs to bookcase and 
adjusts his glasses for a search) Um-um, where is it? 

Cecile, Meredith? I just took it to Miss Thomas's 
room, sir. She asked for it. 

Meredith. Ah, I see ! She probably has seen you too 
and had the same inspiration. {Regarding Cecile 
earnestly) Queer! I wonder if she has. We could 
work it out together, Miss Thomas and I. {To Cecile) 
You are fair at learning? 

Cecile. Oh, yes, sir. 

Meredith. Jove, you are the very one for the part, 
the more I think of it, the more I believe it. In the third 
act, if I remember correctly, you have a scene with 

ENTER Miss Courtney c. d. 

Miss C. {far too sweetly). I'm so sorry to interrupt 
you, but I want a copy of Barrie, most awfully. {To 
Meredith) In fact I supposed the interview you were 
to have would be over by now and all things settled. 

Meredith {pitifullxj) . Yes, yes, Emily, that is so — 
the interview. Wait, Emily. Perhaps you had better 
stay. 

Miss C. {delighted to). Of course, if I can be of any 
service. 

Meredith. You can, Emily, {hi a stage whisper) 
You tell her, Emily. I can^t. 

Miss C. Certainly, Alonzo, if you wish it. But 
haven 't you said a word ? 

Meredith. Not about that, Emily, not about that. 
(Shaking his head sadly) We — we were discussing 
something else. 



38 The Gorgeous Cecile 

Miss C. {turning to Cecile). Mr. Meredith tells me 
he has said nothing to you about his original purpose of 
sending for you. 

Cecile. He made some mention of his son. 

Meredith. Yes, yes, so I did in the beginning, Emily. 
(Triumphantly) She has a good memory! 

Miss C. I see, and I might as well come to the point 
at once. Of course you understand nothing can come of 
the affair. 

Meredith. No, no, nothing at all. 

Miss C. Max has lost his head for the time being 
and so we think it wiser for you to go at once. 

Meredith {distressed at that). Wait a minute, 
Emily. She — she, that is, I was intending to cast her in 
a play. (Emily withers him with a glance) 

Miss C. {turning hack to Cecile). We will of course 
pay you in advance. W^e are sorry this has happened, 
but nevertheless matters must stop here. 

Meredith. But I can't see any harm in the girl stay- 
ing on for a week or two. 

Miss C. You mean it would be easier to get rid of 
Max? 

Meredith {floundering). Well, well, of course 

Miss C. {sweetly). That seems to me rather a strange 
way of doing things. 

Meredith {appealingly) . You see. Miss Thomas and 
I have had the same inspiration to cast this girl in a play 
of Meredith's and 

Miss C. {witheringly) . Miss Thomas and you! I 
think, Alonzo, you are forgetting yourself. 

Cecile. I beg your pardon. May I speak a few 
words ? 

Miss C. I think it is not necessary, Cecile. The 
thing is 

Meredith. Emily, let the girl talk. 

Miss C. Yes, Alonzo, but what good would that do? 
After all the thing is to send her off at once, the only 
thing. 

Meredith {stubbornly) , I'm not so sure of that. 



The Gorgeous Cecile 39 

Miss C. Oh, I see. You have changed since I last 
saw you. You are willing to have your son marry her. 

Meredith. I didn't say I had changed, Emily. 
{With 807)16 sarcasm) If I remember correctly, you 
were the one who was to have changed. 

Miss C. That is far from the subject, Aionzo. At 
present we are speaking of Max and this girl. Max is 
headstrong and in love — in love very unwisely. It looks 
as if there would be trouble. 

Cecile. If I may speak, please 

Miss C. {ignoring her). Much trouble. The only 
remedy for it as far as I can see is to get rid of the source 
of it. 

Cecile. I think I 

Miss C. You know this cannot go on, Aionzo. And 
why let matters drift until it is too late — until they elope, 
for of course that is what they intend to do, and be 
married at some out-of-the-way place, where we could 
never overtake them. 

Cecile. Please 

Miss C. It is outrageous and I 

Meredith {in a voice of thunder), Emily, let that 
girl speak ! 

Cecile. Thank you, sir. 

Miss C. Very well, but of course she will marry him. 
I see it all. (Meredith nods to Cecile) 

Cecile {very calmly). I wanted to say j^ou have no 
need to worry at present — that I'm not sure that I wish 
to marry your son. {Pause) 

Miss C. Not wish to marry him ? 

Meredith. There ! 

Miss C. Well of all things ! 

Cecile {to Meredith). May I go? 

Meredith. Just a word. You will stay on then ? 

Cecile. Yes, sir. 

Meredith. That is all. (Cecile EXITS c. d., Mere- 
dith chuckles and Miss Courtney continues to stare 
stupidly as the curtain falls) 



40 The Gorgeous Cecile 



ACT III 

SCENE. — Same as Acts I and II, except for the step- 
ladder, which has been removed, and the hooks which 
have been arranged on the shelves. Time, even- 
ing of the next day. DISCOVERED, Wade cross- 
ing the room from r. Pauline, much excited, 
ENTERS c. D. and waylays him in the middle of 
the room. 

Pauline {breathlessly). Begging your pardon, sir, 
is it true — about Cecile? 

Wade (with great dignity). I take it you mean her 
refusing to marry Mr. Max? 

Pauline. Yes, sir. 

Wade. It is true. 

Pauline. Oli lor\ 

Wade. The truth is, she has found a more preferable 
mate. 

Pauline. You don't say she refused him! 

Wade {stiffly and with the same accent). The truth 
is, she has found a more preferable mate. 

Pauline {to herself). How could she refuse him? 
With his face and his form and his money. 

Wade. The truth is, she has found a more preferable 
mate. 

Pauline {turning to him). You mean she is thinking 
o' marryin' some one else? 

Wade. I do. 

Pauline. Oh lor'. Has he as fine a form? 

Wade. There 's many as would think so. 

Pauline. Does he walk off as grandly ? 

Wade. There's many as would think so. 

Pauline {wit}i a thrill) . And has he a way o' makin' 
you feel like dust under his feet ? 

Wade. There's many as would think so. 

Pauline {fearfully). Who is he? 



The Gorgeous Cecile 41 

Wade. Myself, miss. (Walks off stiffly d. r. 
Pauune gazes after him, unable to grasp the situation) 

Pauline (giving up). My lor', oh, my lor'. (With 
a little skip follows Wade off d. r.) 

ENTER Meredith stealthily c. d., goes to secretary and 
writes a telegram, and is just making his escape 
when he encounters Emily ENTERING c. d., carry- 
ing a play. She wears her hair loosely, and is 
dressed in a very youthful-looking gown. 

Miss C. Oh, Lonnie, just going out? I thought we 
might have a cozy time in your study before the others 
arrived. 

Meredith (attempting to conceal the telegram). So, 
Emily. I — I was just about 

Miss C. (taking his arm and leading him down stage). 
But that can wait. (Regarding telegram curiously) 
Now don't say a piece of paper is more important than I 
am. If you do, I shall die. 

Meredith (putting it in vest pocket with a sigh, not 
daring to do otherwise just then). No, no, I suppose 
not. 

Miss C. (holding forth the play). See? I came to 
talk plays with you. I came to show you my real self. 
I said I would, you remember. (Sits and invites him to, 
which he does reluctantly) I have been reading William 
Archer, Lonnie, and I think he is wonderiull Such a 
man ! Do you know he has inspired me to playwriting, 
I do believe. Lonnie, do you think I could write a play ? 

Meredith (who can believe anything of her now). I 
don't know. I shouldn't wonder. 

Miss C. Oh, Lonnie, thank you. You see, I thought 
if you felt that way about it you could help me. I 'd be 
a most docile pupil. Would you help me, Lonnie ? 

Meredith. Why — er — yes, if you really wish it, 
Emily. 

Miss C. (with all the coyness she can muster). I 
thought we might study plays and then perhaps write 
one together, you and I. I have an idea all ready. 



42 The Gorgeous Cecile 

Meredith (listlessly). Yes? 

Miss C. It's a love story, that is, love plays the most 
important part in it, but of course that only makes it the 
more interesting. Don't you think so? 

Meredith {with fervor). I certainly do. 

Miss C. There. I knew you'd agree with me. I 
knew you'd feel about it as I do. Shall I tell you the 
plot? 

Meredith (hand on vest pocket). Not to-night, 
Emily, not to-night. Some other time, perhaps to-mor- 
row, a few days from now, a week from now. 

Miss C. But I am sure I can never make it so clear 
to you again. 

Meredith. Write it down to-night and I will read it 
to-morrow when I 

Miss C. Oh, it loses by writing. 

Meredith. Then, Emily, I fear it will make a poor 
play. (Indicating hell cord beside her) Would you 
mind ringing for Wade ? I have something to give him. 
I must get if off to-night. 

Miss C. Now you're putting me off, Lonnie, and I 
won't be put off. Besides, you haven't said a word about 
my hair, my dress or anythmg. (Rises and twirls about 
coquettishly) Don't you like me the least little bit? 

Meredith (ivho has never liked her, but really de- 
tests her noiv). You — you are so different, Emily, 

Miss C. (going cZose to him). But don't you like me 
different? 

Meredith. I don't know, Emily. 

Miss C. (getting bolder). But I did it all for you. 

Meredith (rising). Really, Emily, you are quite un- 
like yourself to-night. 

Miss C. No, Lonnie, this is my real self. I warned 
you I should change. (Persistently) Aren't you the 
least little bit pleased with me ? 

Meredith (starting toward bell cord). I don't un- 
derstand. Really, Emily, I must get Wade. 

Miss C. (waylaying him). You've hurt my feelings 
and I came to you with best intentions to amuse you. I 



The Gorgeous Cecile 43 

thought since Miss Thomas has gone out of your life I 
might in a small way take her place. 

Meredith {blankly). Miss Thomas gone out of my 
life? 

Miss C. Yes ! And the affair about Max settled. 

Meredith (rallying). But — but it isn't settled. 

Miss C. Not settled? No, I suppose not. {Losing 
control of herself) I suppose you'll be reading plays 
with Tier soon. 

Meredith {absently). She'd make a wonderful 
heroine for Meredith's 

Miss C. {walking away from him with disgust). 
Oh! 

Meredith. A wonderful heroine. 

Miss C. {coming back to try again). But putting 
this affair of Max's aside, after all, things will be much 
the same as far as you are concerned. 

Meredith {sadly) . Things will never be the same for 
me again, Emily. {He is thinking fervently of Miss 
Thomas) A great change, a glimpse of happiness, yes, 
a very great change has come into my life. 

Miss C. {simpering). So you have changed, as I 
have. We have both changed. 

Meredith. Emily {Solemnly), I have changed. 

Miss C. Oh, Lonnie, let me take it as a symbol 
that we will be closer bound to each other in the future 
than ever before. 

Meredith {not knowing what he is saying). I hope 
so, Emily. 

Miss C. Oh, Lonnie, I feel as if it would be so, and 
we — ^we would be so happy, so congenial. {He looks 
up at her in amazement) I shall study and make myself 
a fitting companion for you. 

Meredith. God, Emily, you aren't proposing to me, 
are you? 

Miss C. {taken back). I proposing to youf I 
thought you were proposing to me. 

Meredith. Dear, dear, you couldn't have, Emily. 
There, there it was a misunderstanding, I'm sure. I — I 



44 The Gorgeous Cecile 

had reference to another, in fact a dear friend of yours, 
whom you were kind enough to bring here. 

Miss C. {who has long since looked upon Claire as 
an enemy). A friend of mine! I hate her, I hate her, 
I tell you I hate her ! There. Now do you understand ? 

Meredith {taking out telegram). I'm sorry you hate 
her, for I Ve just written a telegram inviting her to come 
to us again. 

Miss C. And you intend to send it? 

Meredith. I do. 

Miss C. Nothing on my part could make you change 
your mind ? 

Meredith. Nothing, Emily. {Looks at him for a mo- 
ment in silence, sees he is in earnest and becomes her old 
self) 

Miss C. Alonzo, I am disgusted, disgusted with you 
and with all of them, disgusted with every one in this 
disgusting house. If that girl is to come here I shall go 
back to Fairbanks. She is a minx, a minx of the worst 
variety, and I cannot endure the sight of her. 

Meredith. Emily ! 

Miss C. You may be as terrible as you like. You 
have insulted me in your own house, but you won't get 
the opportunity again. I am leaving to-night, yes, 
Alonzo, I am leaving to-night. 

Meredith {quietly). I always wondered why you 
stayed on here, Emily. 

Miss C. Well, you'll wonder no more. Good-night! 

[EXIT c. d., flaunting out 

Meredith {pulls hell cord, then walks hack and forth 
smoothing telegram lovingly and smilingly. ENTER 
Wade d. r. Handing telegram to Wade) See that this 
is sent to-night, right away. 

Wade. Yes, sir. {Starts toward d. r.) 

Meredith. Wade. (Wade turns hack) 

Wade. Yes, sir. 

Meredith. Miss Courtney is leaving us to-night for 
good. She is to make her home elsewhere. Hereafter 
you are to receive all orders from me until further notice. 



The Gorgeous Cecile 45 

Wade. Yes, sir. (Wade starts to go, l/iesitates, coughs 
and takes a step toward Mr. Meredith) I'm leaving in 
a month, sir. 

Meredith. What! Nonsense ! 

Wade. I'm leaving in a month, sir. 

Meredith. But what's this for? Aren't you getting 
enough money ? 

Wade. It isn't that, sir. I'm leaving, sir. 

Meredith. Can't hear of it, Wade. We'll have to 
patch things up for you. 

Wade. I 'm leaving, sir. 

Meredith. In heaven's name don't say that again. 
You get a bone idea in your head and you can't get it 
out. 

Wade (off guard) . That's what she says. 

Meredith. She ? So that 's the trouble, is it ? Who 's 
she? 

Wade. Cecile, sir, the parlor maid. 

Meredith (staggered), Cecile! Parlormaid? You're 
not going to marry her? 

Wade (proudly) . If she'll have me, sir, which I think 
most likely. 

Meredith. And take her away from here? 

Wade. Yes, sir, I've a bit of land 

Meredith. Wade, you cannot. You must not. I — 
that is — that girl 

Wade. I don't understand, sir. 

Meredith. That's all, Wade. (Excitedly) We'll 
discuss your leaving later. Send my son here ! 

Wade. Very well, sir. [EXIT d. r. 

Meredith. If only until Claire comes! (Paces hack 
and forth) 

ENTER Max d. r. 

Max. You sent for me ? 

Meredith. Ah! Max! (Goes up to him) I sent 
for you to say, sir, that I've changed my mind, sir, about 
what I said to you, sir— regarding that girl. 



46 The Gorgeous Cecile 

Max. It doesn't matter one way or another. About 
your changing your mind, I mean. 

Meredith {not to he squelched). I've*seen her. 

Max. Um-um. 

Meredith. She's gorgeous! 

Max. a fact I 've been aware of for some time now. 

Meredith. You knew I'd had an — er interview with 
her. 

Max. I 've heard nothing. 

Meredith. Well, I did. And she, well, boy, I don't 
blame you for feeling the way you do about her. 

Max. Thanks for the sympathy. 

Meredith. She 's given me the inspiration of my life 
just to look at her. 

Max {smiling). Have you told her of your change of 
mind? 

Meredith. No; that is, not exactly, but I think she 
realized — that I — er 

Max. Had one. I see. 

Meredith. She promised to stay on at any rate. 

Max. Kind of her, deucedly, after what you said to 
her. 

Meredith. Look here, I don't like your manner. 
{Wisehj) Maybe if you'd show a kinder regard for 
your old dad he would help you a bit. 

Max {showing interest). What do you mean? What 
did she say to you ? 

Meredith {chuckling). That she wasn't sure she 
wanted to marry you. 

Max. That's helpful, I'll say. 

Meredith. Now, now, don't get hot-tempered. Hold 
your horses, because I know what 's the trouble. 

Max. Yes? 

Meredith. Wade is hounding her life out to get her 
to marry him. Boy, he told me right here in this very 
room not ten minutes ago that he intended to leave with 
her in a month. (Max makes an impatient move) Hold 
on! And I say if you permit him to, you're an ass. 

Max. How can I help it ? 



The Gorgeous Cecile 47 

Meredith {contemptuously). How can you help it? 
What a question! You haven't the spirit of your old 
man even now. 

Max. You ! 

Meredith. Yes! Ask your Aunt Emily about your 
father's spirit, boy! 

Max. But if she doesn't love me. 

Meredith. Rot, she does. Go to her and see that she 
doesn't leave this house. 

Max. It seems to me, dad, you're terribly anxious to 
keep her here. Is it just for my interest you're talking? 

Meredith {witli a twinkle). Everything's for your 
interest. I've decided she's the one for you and — for 
us! [EXIT c. D., chuckling 

ENTER Jones and Mrs. Higglesworth d. r. 

Mrs. H. a divine stroll, Prothero. I don't know 
when I've enjoyed the terrace so much. 

Jones {completely gone hy now). Was it just the 
terrace then? 

Mrs. H. {spying Max). Hulloa, here's Max. 

Jones {under his hreath). The devil! {Aloud) 
Hulloa, Max ! 

Max {with a grim smile). I heard you! 

Jones. I meant for you to hear me. 

Max. Well, you needn't devil me, old boy. I'm off. 
(Starts toward c. d.) 

Jones. I wasn't meaning you, old chap. I was just 
surprised, don 't you know, to find anyone here. 

Max {imitating Jones' voice of a few moments he- 
fore). Was it just surprise then? 

Jones. Well, I '11 admit I came here for seclusion but 
this seems to have become the most popular room in the 
house. 

Max. It's become the most famous. The governor 
found his senses in this room not ten minutes ago, having 
lost them the day I was born. [EXIT d. r. 

Mrs. H. {sitting). Dear Max! What an adorable 
boy he is. He deserves to be happy. 



48 The Gorgeous Cecile 

Jones (sitting on the foot of chaise-longue). You 
wouldn't say as much for me. 

Mrs. H. {touching his arm lightly). You poorl^oy, of 
course I would. 

Jones. But it's in your power to make me happy. 

Mrs. H. {a little wistfully), I wish I could think that, 
Prothero. 

Jones. Isn^t my word enough? 

Mrs. H. You think that way now, but after a few 
years 

Jones (with vehemence). I shall always think so. I 
adore you. Won 't you believe me ? 

Mrs. H. I do believe you. 

Jones. Then marry me. 

Mrs. H. I have hoped, even prayed, for this oppor- 
tunity and now it has come I — I am afraid. 

Jones. Needlessly afraid. 

Mrs. H. Perhaps I have waited too long. Perhaps it 
is too late. 

Jones. Too late ? It would never be too late for you. 
You are wonderful ! 

Mrs. H. Aren 't you seeing me with infatuated eyes ? 

Jones. I never saw more clearly in my life. 

Mrs. H. Oh, Prothero, can it be true? I've waited 
so long for just this — my chance to happiness. 

Jones. Dearest ! 

Mrs. H. You think I have been happy because I have 
been gay, but I haven't been really happy, ever. 

Jones. But you will be now. Oh, you will be now, 
say you will. (Puts an arm about her and she does not 
withdraw) 

Mrs. H. Dear Proth. (Miss Courtney appears 
c. D., unseen by them, raises her hands in horror, groans, 
and GOES off. She holds a telegram in her hands) 

Jones. We will go to Groton for our honeymoon. 
(Earnestly) You will be married soon? Groton is 
wonderful now. 

Mrs. H. (drawing away and getting up). Now isn't 
that just like a man to think I could get ready soon. 



The Gorgeous Cecile 49 

Jones. But why delay things ? 

Mrs. H. Of course, the impetuosity of youth. But 
really, Proth., I Ve got to run over to Paris and get some 
clothes. 

Jones. To Paris? 

Mrs. H. Of course. 

Jones {weakly). But how long will that take? 

Mrs. H. Oh, a month or two, dearie. 

Jones {like a disappointed hoy). I thought we could 
be married this month and go straight to Groton. Groton 
is wonderful now, but if you go to Paris that will mean 
weeks and then 

Mrs. H. You poor boy, I see it all. You mean there 
is only one September a year at Groton 

Jones. Exactly. 

Mrs. H. {witJi a smile). Well 

Jones {hanging on her words). Well 



Mrs. H. Then I — think — we'll — go to Groton. 

Jones. Thank you. {Kisses her) 

Mrs. H. Come, let's break the news to the household. 
We must as soon as possible to make our engagement of 
decent length. Every minute counts. (Goes toward 
D. R.) Here's Max. You can tell him and I'll tell the 
others. [EXIT d. r. 

Jones {calling). Max, got a minute to spare? 

ENTER Max d. r. 

Max. So I 'm welcome now, am I ? 

Jones. Max, she's accepted me. 

Max. Jove, I didn't think you could do it, old chap. 
She's had a hundred suitors. Congratulations. {They 
shake hands) Feeling pretty good, what? 

Jones. Do you blame me? 

Max. No. Only you might show a little considera- 
tion for my feelings. 

Jones. I'm sorry. Max. No luck? 

Max {shakes head dubiously) . I haven't asked her. 



50 The Gorgeous Cecile 

Jones. Haven't asked her! Well then, how do you 
know you've no luck? {With a slap) Cheer up, old 
man! 

Max. She's down-stairs. (Pause) In the servants' 
hall. 

Jones. Well? 

Max. With that cad. 

Jones. Have you tried to get her up ? 

Max. No. 

Jones. Good heavens, man! Get busy. You don't 
think things are coming your way without an effort 1 

Max. I 've had a deuce of a time from the start. 

Jones. Pooh, you're faint hearted. Send for her to- 
night and have it out. Do you suppose a girl thinks you 
care for her when you leave her as you have to another 
man? 

Max. She has just gone down. I saw her when she 
went. 

Jones. Well, why didn't you stop her? 

Max. I — I — damn it, Proth., I wish I had your way 
with the women. 

Jones. Only a couple of days ago you were laughing 
at me. 

Max. Don't rub things in. 

Jones. Well, I'm sorry for you, old man, but you've 
got to buck up. {Pause, while Jones whistles happily 
and Max stares gloomily, hi a voice of ecstasy) Max, 
do you know Louise has the most glorious eyes. Full of 
little lights and color, changing colors like a diamond. 

Max {not heeding) . Is that so? {Continues to stare 
at his pipe stem gloomily) But what I don't see is — 
why doesn 't Cecile say something ? She knows 

Jones {not heeding Max). And her lashes; why, 
Max, like a silken fringe. 

Max. I 've never noticed a woman 's lashes until 

{Catching the enthusiasm) Gee, Proth., but Cecile 's a 
wonder ! 

Jones {still thinking of his Louise). Even the shape 
of her eye and the arch of her brows. 



The Gorgeous Cecile 51 

Max (meaning his Cecile). She's unusual, and 
you've got to admit it. 

Jones. And her hair. I thought, by Jove, I*d seen 
handsome hair on a woman's head, but hers — divine! 

Max. The best part of it is she doesn't know she's 
lovely. 

Jones. Did you ever notice the fragrance of her lips 
when you've kissed her? 

Max. Kissed her! You (Glaring) 

Jones (taken hack). Eh, what? Of course I've 
kissed her. 

Max. You cad! 

Jones (getting hot). Who's got a better right, I'd 
like to know. (They glare at each other defiantly) 

Max. Look here, Proth., you've had love affairs and 
I 've never interfered, but this is too much ! 

Jones. But, man, she's consented to marry me, and 
why shouldn 't I kiss her 1 

Max (the light dawning on him). I say! (Fool- 
ishly) Forgive me, old chap — a little misunderstanding, 
that's all. I thought all the time you were referring to 
Cecile. 

Jones. Cecile ? 

Max. Yes. 

Jones. And I — I was wondering for what infernal 
reason I shouldn 't kiss the woman I was about to marry. 

ENTER Miss Courtney c. d., with telegram. 

Miss C. (spitefully). At last I've found two people 
whom I dare interrupt. I never knew such a house. 
What has got into everyone? I thought at least your 
Aunt Louise was old enough to know better. 

Max. I say. Aunt Emily, be decent. 

Miss C. I 'm all upset. I have received this telegram 
brought me by Wade about a half hour ago. It says 
(Reading) " Yes. Yes. Love. Signed C." I can't 
make out what it can mean and why I should receive it. 
(Hands telegram to Max, who examines it) 

Max. Are you sure it 's for you ? 



52 The Gorgeous Cecile 

Miss C. (stiffly) . It was handed me by Wade. I sup- 
pose he knows what he's about. 

Jones {with a wink). Wade is hardly responsible for 
what he does just now. 

Miss C. Oh, in love too, I suppose. 

Max. That's funny. Have you got the envelope? 

Miss C. I tore the envelope and threw it in the waste 
paper basket. 

Max (reading slowly). ^' Yes. Yes. Love! " 

Jones. Sounds good. Someone's missing a lot. 

Miss C. I'm sure it isn't for me. 

Max.. But who is C.^ (They all meditate deeply. In 
the midst of their meditations Mr. Meredith ENTERS 
D. R., absent mindedly, as usual. He sees Emily and 
tries to escape, hut Max will not let him) 1 say, Dad, 
know anything about this? (Waves telegram) Aunt 
Emily has just received a telegram signed C. and writ- 
ten—'* Yes. Yes. Love." 

Meredith (rapturously, his face fairly beaming). 
Yes ! Yes ! Love ! 

Max. Um-um. 

Meredith. *' Yes. Yes! Love! " A-ah. 

Jones. He knows. I thought it must fit someone.^ 

Miss C. (witheringly) , I might have known. (Gives 
Mr. Meredith a contemptuous glance) I might have 
known. Stuff and nonsense and at his age. **Yes. Yes. 
Love," indeed. (Looks upon them all pityingly) Well, 
I 'm done with the lot of you. You are a bunch of irre- 
sponsible babies who can't keep your own hearts in order. 

[EXIT d. r. 

Meredith (still in a trance). *' Yes, yes. Love." 
Why, boy, she*s accepted me. I wrote and asked her to 
come here and asked her to marry me and she writes, 
*'Yes. Yes. Love." 

Max. Mighty fine of her, dad. I'm glad. 

Meredith. Come, cheer up. What's the matter? 

Max. I'm wondering how many more acceptances I'll 
have to hear of before I die. 

Jones. Come, Max, buck up. I'll send Cecile here 



The Gorgeous Cecile 63 

and, well, you '11 have something to tell us in a few min- 
utes. 

Max {smiling in spite of himself). You're always so 
damned optimistic, Proth. 

Jones (beaming). It pays. Look what it's got me. 

Meredith (timidly). I thought, a-hem, Claire and I 
could cast Cecile in that play we're — I say, boy, you 
mustn't let her go off with that fellow. You've got to 
marry her if only to keep her here for our play. 

Max (grimly). I see. 

Jones (taking Mr. Meredith by the arm). Come on, 
Mr. Meredith. I'm going to send for Cecile and we'll be 
de trop in a minute. (To Max) Remember, old man, 
you weren't afraid of the Huns, now don't let a woman 
frighten you. Keep your mind on your croix de guerre. 
(Jones leads Mr. Meredith to c. d. and both EXIT. 
Max paces floor impatiently, lights a cigarette, handles 
hooks on the table nervously, whistles faintly and is just 
about to escape when Cecile ENTERS d. r.) 

Cecile. Mr. Jones said I was wanted here. 

Max. You are. I want to talk to you. 

Cecile. Yes. 

Max. I'm sorry for all that's happened. It must 
have been humiliating for you. I know what my Aunt 
Emily is. 

Cecile (quietly). They do not want me to marry 
you, naturally. That is to be expected. 

Max. And naturally it doesn't matter whether they 
do or not. 

Cecile. Doesn 't it ? 

Max. No ! 

Cecile. I thought 

Max. How could you think any differently? (Goes 
toward her) Cecile, I love you very much. 

Cecile (dropping her eyes). I love you too. At first 
I didn't know. I was so bewildered and afraid. It — it 
was unusual — your loving me. 

Max. Unusual? I couldn't blame anyone for loving 
you. 



64 The Gorgeous Cecile 

Cecile. I thought all the time I must be dreaming. 

Max. It has been a most real dream to me and* parts 
of it a nightmare. Cecile, you are not in love with 
Wade? 

Cecile {smiling). Now you're jealous. 

Max. I am. 

Cecile. Of Wade? 

Max. Of Wade. 

Cecile. How could you be? {Smiling archly) It's 
too bad you haven't some of his conceit. He's very con- 
ceited. 

Max. He wanted to marry you. 

Cecile {with a little sigh). So have a great many 
more. 

Max {laughs, in spite of himself). Who's conceited 
now? 

Cecile. That 's not conceit. 

Max. But you're not going to class me with those 
others who have ? 

Cecile. No, Max, I can't truthfully. 

Max. And you'll marry me? 

Cecile. Are you quite sure you want me? 

Max. Absolutely ! 

Cecile. And that you just couldn't live without me? 

Max. Not for a day ! 

Cecile. And you '11 make a model husband ? 

Max {whimsically). How could you ask? 

Cecile. And only kiss me when I ask for it ? 

Max {reluctantly). Y-yes. 

Cecile. Then I think I '11 marry you. 

Max {taking her in his arms). I should think you 
might! 



CURTAIN 



FEMALE CHARACTERS 



THE CONSPIRATORS PRICE 25 CENTS 

Comedy in 2 acts, by E. Simms. 12 females. 1 interior. Time 40 min- 
"tes. Clever coinedy showing how the Senior Class got the better of 
Miss Pnmleigh. Sparkling throughout. 

CRANFORD DAMES PRICE 15 CENTS 

Play m 1 act, by A. Byington. 8 or 12 females. 2 interiors. Time ll4 
hours. Costumes of 60 years ago. An adaptation of Mrs. Gaskell's ' well 
known 'Cranford. 

A DAY AND A NIGHT PRICE 25 CENTS 

Comedy in 2 acts, by A. C. Ruggeri. 10 females. Time, 1 hour. Scene 
room in Dorothy's ideal boarding house. Boarders, a suffragist, a demon- 
strator, an actress, a singer, etc. Jennie the waitress, and Mammy the 
colored cook have strong comedy roles. 

EVERY SENIOR PRICE 25 CENTS 

High school morality play in 1 act, by P. Hogrefe. 8 females. 1 in- 
terior. Time, 40 minutes. Costumes easily arranged. The demands made 
upon Miss Senior, about to graduate, seem to her very severe, but when 
explained by Miss Loyalty and Miss Love that they are to benefit her 
when going forth into the world, she appreciates what they mean. Rec- 
ommended for girls' high schools. 

GERTRUDE MASON, M. D. PRICE 25 CENTS 

Farce in 1 act, by L. M. C. Armstrong. 7 females. 1 interior. Time, 
1% hours. An exceedingly bright piece in which Dr. Gertrude, already 
the victim of circumstances, is the victim of a practical joke. 

MAIDENS ALL FORLORN PRICE 25 CENTS 

Comedy in 3 acts, by E. S'imms. 6 females. 1 interior. Time, 1 hour. 
Three girls in a man forsaken resort invite Teddy to visit them ; he re- 
fuses, but writes that his friend, Dr. Denby. will replace him. They all 
make great preparation to welcome him. The doctor arrives — a woman, 

MARY ANN PRICE 15 CENTS 

Comedy in 1 act, by H. B. Hornbeek. 5 females. 1 interior. Time, Yz 
hour. Domestic sketch in Yankee dialect, the leading role being played by 
Mary Ann, maid of all work. 

PEGGY'S PREDICAMENT PRICE 25 CENTS 

Farce in 1 act, by E. M. Crane. 5 females. 1 interior. Time, ^ hour, 
Peggy's troubles arise because, just as her mother-in-law is to lunch with 
her for the first time, the cook leaves. Peggy's friends solve the problem 
• — but how? Every part is excellent. 

RAINBOW KIMONA PRICE 25 CENTS 

Comedy in 2 acts, by E. M. Crane. 9 females. 1 interior. Time, 1*^ 
hours. This is a club of a senior class, each member wearing a kimona 
representing one of the colors of the rainbow. A burlesque on one of the 
Shakespearean plays is introduced. 

ROSEMARY PRICE 25 CENTS 

Play in 4 acts, by A. C. Cutting. 14 females. 1 interior. Time, 1^ 
hours. The cast includes two Southern girls, a prim Bostonian, a darky 
Mammy and a pert Irish maid. Particularly adapted for girls' high 
schools and especially recommended. 

TOM'S ARRIVAL PRICE 15 CENTS 

Play in 1 act. 3 females. 1 interior. Time, J^ hour. Three maiden 
ladies learn by wire Tom is to arrive. Each makes arrangements for his 
comfort. When Tom arrives a most unexpected climax develops. 



RURAL PLAYS 



HELD FOR POSTAGE 



A rural f arco comedy in 2 acts, by Eobert Henry Diehl. 4 male, 8 femal« 
characters. 1 interior sjone, very simple. Time, U hours. Uncle Oliver, 
laading' old ma/i, and his wife are of the " Old Homestead " type of Yankee 
farmers, Jcrualia tiae town gossip, tlie town constable and the selectmaiu 
contribute the many humorous episodes. The juvenile leads, male and 
female, are both very effective. 

PRICE 25 CENTS 



ROSEBROOK FARM 

A rural comedy in 3 acts, by Arolyn Caverly Cutting. 6 male, 9 female 
characters. 1 interior and 1 exterior scene. Time, 1| hours. Costumes of 
to-day. Old man, Yanlcee farmer and three good character parts for the 
men. A negro maid, some spinsters and an excellent soubrette part for 
the ladies. Easily staged. A very superior play for amateurs. 
PRICE 25 CENTS 

~~~~ THE WAYFARERS " 

A rural play in i acts, by Katharine Kavanauerh. 6 male, 4 female char- 
acters. 2 interior, 1 exterior scene, all simple. Time, 2i hours. Many years 
before the play opens. Uncle Billy disowns a beloved aaughter, she having 
married against his wishes. Later on he repents of his harshness and 
malccs vain elforts to locate her and her child. How the child eventually 
returns to her mother's house and what she previously encountered is 
graphically told by Clytie and Watson. Every role is a good one. 

PRICE 25 CENTS 

WHERE THE LANE TURNED 

A rural comedy drama in 4 acts, by Florence A. Cowles. 7 male, 5 female 
characters. 2 easy interior scenes. Time, 2 hours. This rural play follows 
entirely novel lines in plot and construction, and as the stage settings are 
both simple, can be produced in any hall. Among the characters are a pert 
French maid, a blasS Englishman, an up-to-date chauffeur, and an uncom- 
monly excellent iuvenile lead. 

PRICE 25 CENTS ^ 

WHEN A MAN'S SINGLE 

A rural society comedy in 3 acts, by Eleanor Maud Crane. 4 male, 4 female 
characters. 3 interior, 1 exterior scene. Time, 2 hours. Modern costumes. 
Mrs. Briscoe, a rich New Yfl|-ker, with her two sons and daughter visit Jim 
Horton's farm. His niece, Eleanor, is an heiress. Paul Briscoe, ruinously 
in debt, resolves to wui Eleanor and her money; he mistakes the Irish 
maid, Norah. for her mistress, but soon learns his error. Eleanor visits the 
Briscoes at Newport. Paul by strategy Avins her consent. Mrs. Briscoe 
hears of Jim's suflden wealth and forces hers<^lf on him. Later. Jim's 
wealth proves to be not his, but Peter Adams's, his country neighbor. 
Things become badly mixed, but by the artless blunders of Norah are finally 
and satisfactorily settled. 

PRICE 25 CENTS 



FROM PUNKIN RIDGE 

A domestic drama in 1 act, by H. Elliot McBr'de. 6 male, 3 female char 
acters. 1 interior, 1 exterior scene. Time, 1 hour. Introduces a vain oW 
lady, aR adventurer, an Irishman and a Yankee, with theii- dialecta. 
PRICE 15 CENTS 



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PLAYS WE RECOMMEND 

Fifteen Cents Each (Postage, 1 Cent Extra) 



Unless Otherwise Mentioned 



(27c.) 



Arabian Nie:hts 
Bundle of Matches (27c.) 
Crawford's Claim (27c.) 
Her Ladyship's Niece (27c.) 
Just for Fun (27c.) 

Men, Maids, Matchmakers 
Our Boys 
Puzzled Detective 
Three Hats 
Timothy Delano's 

Courtship 
Up-to-Date Anne 
White Shawl 
Fleeing Flyer 
From Punkin' Ridg^e 
Handy Solomon 
Hoosier School 
Kiss in the Dark 
Larry 
Love Birds' Matrimonial 

Agency 
Married Lovers 
Ma's New Boarders (27c.) 
Mrs. Forester's Crusade 
New Pastor 
Relations 

Standing Room Only 
Stormy Night 
Surprises (27c.) 

Tangles (27c.) 

Little Rogue Next Door 
'Till Three P. M. 
Train to Mauro 
When Women Rule 
Won by a Kodak 
April Fools 
Fun in a Schoolroom 
Little Red Mare 
Manager's Trials 
Medica 

Mischievous Bob 
Cheerful Companion 
Dolly's Double 
Drifted Apart 
Gentle Touch 
John's Emmy 
Point of View 
Professor's Truant Glove 
Belles of Blackville 
Sweet Family (27c. 

Conspirators (27c.) 

A Day and a Night (27c. ) 
Gertrude Mason, M.D. (27c.) 
In Other People's Shoes 
Maidens All Forlorn (27c.) 
Mary Ann 

Romance of Phyllis (27c.) 
Fuss vs. Feathers 
Tanglefoot vs. Peruna 
Greet Libel Case 



Acts Males Females Time 



Farce 


8 


4 


5 


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Comedy 


2 


1 


7 


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3 


9 


3 


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3 


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6 


4 


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3 


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" 


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Farce 


3 


7 


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Drama 


3 


8 


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2 


8 


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Comedy 


3 


4 


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Drama 




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Comedy 




3 


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3 


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Sketch 







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Comedy 







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8 


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Entertainment 







10 


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40m ■ 




1 ' Bride and Groom 


Farce 


3 


5 


5 


2y4h 1 




1 ' Last Chance 


Comedy 


2 


2 


12 


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" 


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Farce 


3 


5 


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Comedy 


3 


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Farce 


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Comedy 


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1 


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2 


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